Mamie Smith

She appeared in further films, including Mystery in Swing, Sunday Sinners (1940), Stolen Paradise, Murder on Lenox Avenue (1941), and Because I Love You (1943). In 2003 No Doubt released a cover version of "It's My Life" which became a international hit. She returned to performing in 1939 to appear in the motion picture Paradise in Harlem. Webb also collaborated under the name of Rustin Man with Beth Gibbons and released Out of Season in 2002. She retired from recording and performing in 1931. In 1998, Mark Hollis released his eponymous debut Mark Hollis. Mamie Smith appeared in an early soundie, Jail House Blues, in 1929. Paul Webb and Lee Harris went on to form the band .O.rang.

(Shortly later, this billing of Mamie Smith was one-upped by Bessie Smith, who called herself "The Empress of the Blues".). After Laughing Stock, the band broke up. She was billed as "The Queen of the Blues". Laughing Stock crystallized the experimental sound the band started with Spirit of Eden (which has been retroactively categorized as "post-rock" by some critics) and both are widely regarded as the group's masterpieces. She toured the United States and Europe with her band "Mamie Smith & Her Jazz Hounds" as part of "Mamie Smith's Struttin' Along Review". The less commercial sound did not go well with their label EMI, so they moved to Verve Records to release Laughing Stock in 1991. She also made some records for Victor. They eventually abandoned the New Romantic style completely with Spirit of Eden (1988), an album founded on improvised structures and diverse, natural instruments (violin, harmonica) instead of a synth-driven, pop song mold.

Mamie Smith continued to make a series of popular recordings for Okeh throughout the 1920s. With the addition of unofficial fourth member Tim Friese-Greene in 1983, replacing Simon Brenner on keyboards and becoming producer for the band, each successive Talk Talk release became more sophisticated and original. It also opened up the record industry to recordings by and for African Americans in other genres. Though they were identified with the New Romantic movement and bands such as Duran Duran, Talk Talk had a progressive depth their contemporaries lacked. The success of Smith's record prompted record companies to seek to record other female blues singers and started the era of what is now known as classic female blues. The band achieved moderate success in the early to mid 1980s with several hit singles, including, "Today" (1982), "Talk Talk" (1982), "Such A Shame" (1984), "Its My Life" (1984) and "Life's What You Make It" (1986). Johnson in the 1890s), they were all black artists who had a substantial following with white audiences. Talk Talk were an English synth-pop group formed in 1981 by Mark Hollis (vocals/guitar/songwriter), Paul Webb (bass), Lee Harris (drums), and Simon Brenner (keyboards).

Although other African Americans had been recorded earlier (going back to George W. Ascension Day (1991). "Crazy Blues" in particular was noted as a distinctively "colored" number performed by a "colored" performer. New Grass (1991). To the surprise of record companies, large numbers of the record were purchased by African-Americans, a market the record industry had hitherto neglected. After The Flood (1991). These were the first recordings of vocal blues by an African American singer, and the record became an explosive best seller, selling a million copies in one year. Living In Another World (1991).

On August 10 of 1920, Smith recorded the Bradford-penned "Crazy Blues" and "It's Right Here For You, If You Don't Get It, 'Tain't No Fault of Mine". Such A Shame (1990). Smith's record sold moderately well, so she and Bradford were invited back to make additional recordings. Life's What You Make It (1990). Smith recorded two sides ("That Thing Called Love" and "You Can't Keep A Good Man Down") on February 14, 1920, backed by a white studio band. It's My Life (1990). Tucker was ill and could not make it to the session; Bradford persuaded Okeh to allow Mamie Smith to record in Tucker's place. I Believe In You (1988).

In early 1920, Okeh Records planned to record popular singer Sophie Tucker performing a pair of songs by Perry Bradford. I Don't Believe In You (1986). She appeared in songwriter Perry Bradford's musical "Made in Harlem" in 1918. Give It Up (1986). Smith was born as Mamie Robinson in Cincinnati, Ohio. She toured with African-American vaudeville and minstrel shows until settling in New York City in 1913, where she worked as a cabaret singer. Living In Another World (1986). She entered blues history by being the first African American to make vocal blues recordings in 1920. Life's What You Make It (1986) (USA #90, UK #16).

As a vaudeville singer she performed a number of styles including jazz and blues. Dum Dum Girl (1984). Mamie Smith (May 26, 1883 - September 16, 1946) was a vaudeville singer, dancer, pianist and actress, and appeared in several motion pictures late in her career. Such A Shame (1984) (USA #89). It's My Life (1984) (USA #31). My Foolish Friend (1983).

Today (1982) (UK #14). Talk Talk (1982) (UK #23). Mirror Man (1982). Remixed (2001).

12X12 Original Remixes (2000). History Revisited (1991). Time It's Time (2003). Introducing (2003).

Essential (2003). Missing Pieces (2001). The Collection (2000). Asides Besides (1998).

The Very Best of Talk Talk (1997). Natural History (1990). London 1986 (live) (1999). Laughing Stock (1991).

Spirit of Eden (1988). The Colour of Spring (1986). It's My Life (1984). The Party's Over (1982).